Why does the Bishops and Pope wear a skullcap - Catholic Answers Forums Why does the Bishops and Pope wear a skullcap Lost password? Welcome to Catholic Answers Forums, the largest Catholic Community on the Web. Here you can join over 400,000 members from around the world discussing all things Catholic. Membership is open to all, Catholic and non-Catholic alike, who seek the Truth with Charity. To gain full access, you must register for a FREE account. Registered members are able to: Submit questions about the faith to experts from Catholic Answers Participate in all forum discussions Communicate privately with Catholics from around the world Plus join a prayer group, read with the Book Club, and much more. Registration is fast, simple and absolutely free. So join our community today ! Have a question about registration or your account log-in? Just contact our Support Hotline . Page 1 of 2 Join Date: March 18, 2013 Posts: 2,063 Religion: Western Catholic since 2010 Why does the Bishops and Pope wear a skullcap What is the historical, symbolic or spiritual meaning of it?

I know it's similar to what Rabbi's wear, but why have we adopted, adapted and maintained it? Would the original 12 and Our Lord being Jewish have worn a yarmulke in their day? And if yes, is that why the Bishops wear it? Thank you. Join Date: December 27, 2006 Posts: 2,650 Religion: Roman-rite Catholic Re: Why does the Bishops and Pope wear a skullcap In most Western cultures, hair is a symbol of beauty, and thus covering it up, or veiling it, or tonsuring it, to be a sign of humility. There's Biblical roots for this (I call to mind Samson); it's also a very pertinent Gallic tradition, considering that historically, cutting off a Frank's hair was culturally about one step before castrating them. __________________ " ... the systematic exclusion of Latin is an abuse no less to be condemned than the systematic desire of some people to use it exclusively.

Its sudden and total disappearance will not be without serious pastoral consequences..." Ratio fundamentatlis, 1980 EphelDuath Join Date: June 2, 2011 Posts: 4,274 Religion: Catholic Re: Why does the Bishops and Pope wear a skullcap I thought it was to cover up the bald spot left by tonsure. Of course tonsure has become vanishingly rare in the Church today, but the zucchetto has endured, mainly for the bishops. Priests used to wear a black one but this has also become very rare. I don't think there is any connection to the yarmulke. Wikipedia says the zucchetto evolved from a Greek hat called the pilos (a roughly conical cap, to judge from the pictures) and has a common origin with the modern beret. __________________ But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness." I will rather boast most gladly of my weakness, in order that the power of Christ may dwell with me.

(2 Corinthians 12:9) Aelred Minor Join Date: March 23, 2011 Posts: 172 Religion: Catholic Re: Why does the Bishops and Pope wear a skullcap Yes, that was my understanding too, that while they have ultimately ended up looking very similiar, the Zuchetto and Kippah(or Yarmukle) have different origins. The Zuchetto was originally suppose to cover the bald spot left by the tonsuring. Now that tonsuring has become rare it's become more symbolic than practical. JuantheTuba Join Date: October 16, 2012 Posts: 1,003 Religion: Syro-Maronite Re: Why does the Bishops and Pope wear a skullcap I assume, though, ultimately it is derived from the Jewish practice of wear a Kippah and covering one's head before God.

I say this because it is not simply a Western practice but Eastern Catholic as well (Maronite bishops wear, or should, the same "skullcap" as monks called a phiro and wear the monastic hood on top of it; the Syriac Orthodox do something similar, the Armenians wear a hood and the Ethiopians even wear an almost prayer shawl looking garment). I think all these ideas of covering oneself in humility and reverence before the Lord comes from the Jews. Now as to why they do it? Again it pertains to humility I think; even the seraphim use a set of wings to cover themselves, not because God can't see them if they cover themselves, but as a sign of reverence to the Lord. MorEphrem Re: Why does the Bishops and Pope wear a skullcap Quote: Originally Posted by MorEphrem I assume, though, ultimately it is derived from the Jewish practice of wear a Kippah and covering one's head before God.

I say this because it is not simply a Western practice but Eastern Catholic as well (Maronite bishops wear, or should, the same "skullcap" as monks called a phiro and wear the monastic hood on top of it; the Syriac Orthodox do something similar, the Armenians wear a hood and the Ethiopians even wear an almost prayer shawl looking garment). I think all these ideas of covering oneself in humility and reverence before the Lord comes from the Jews. Now as to why they do it? Again it pertains to humility I think; even the seraphim use a set of wings to cover themselves, not because God can't see them if they cover themselves, but as a sign of reverence to the Lord. I think you might be right, that the idea and intent behind the wearing might derive from the common spirirtual tradition, the garments themselves developed from different sources. JuantheTuba Re: Why does the Bishops and Pope wear a skullcap Quote: Originally Posted by JReducation It's really a carry over from Eastern Judeo Christianity. It did serve a practical function as well. Many religious communities had tonsures and the buildings were drafty. The skull cap and the cowl were helpful.

I imagine it would be at least as useful in avoiding getting sunburn on the top of one's head, too. Considering the age of most men who wear them today, this may still be a practical purpose. __________________ But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness." I will rather boast most gladly of my weakness, in order that the power of Christ may dwell with me. (2 Corinthians 12:9) Aelred Minor Re: Why does the Bishops and Pope wear a skullcap Quote: Originally Posted by MorEphrem Now the question remains was the Christian spiritual tradition simply attached after the fact of the practical purpose? The tradition is Jewish. We (Catholics) wear them as a sign of humility and a reminder that God is above. For this reason, we take them off during the Eucharistic Prayer at the mass. Contrary to popular belief, they are not worn just by bishops. Any priest can wear it and certain religious orders, whether you're ordained or not. I wear on and I'm not a priest. The Franciscans wore them in many countries, usually for practical reasons, not religious reasons.

__________________ Religion: Western Catholic since 2010 Re: Why does the Bishops and Pope wear a skullcap Quote: Originally Posted by JReducation The tradition is Jewish. We (Catholics) wear them as a sign of humility and a reminder that God is above. For this reason, we take them off during the Eucharistic Prayer at the mass. Contrary to popular belief, they are not worn just by bishops. Any priest can wear it and certain religious orders, whether you're ordained or not. I wear on and I'm not a priest. The Franciscans wore them in many countries, usually for practical reasons, not religious reasons. Thank you. Re: Why does the Bishops and Pope wear a skullcap Quote: Originally Posted by JReducation The tradition is Jewish. We (Catholics) wear them as a sign of humility and a reminder that God is above. For this reason, we take them off during the Eucharistic Prayer at the mass. Contrary to popular belief, they are not worn just by bishops. Any priest can wear it and certain religious orders, whether you're ordained or not. I wear on and I'm not a priest.

The Franciscans wore them in many countries, usually for practical reasons, not religious reasons. Yes, as I stated in a previous post it was derived from the Kippah, used out of reverence for God and I made the comparison to the seraphim. But that's not true for the entirety of catholicism: (1) Syriac priests needn't take them off during the Eucharistic Prayer because it is a Western tradition to uncover one's head out of respect and quite frankly I find it a bit contradictory that Latin bishops uncover their heads at the arrival of the presence of God, (2) in other sui iuris Churches the skullcap is reserved for only monastics. My question pertained simply to why Jewish theology would be applied to an article from apparently different practical needs and if the symbolism was added to the practical object as a second thought.

MorEphrem Religion: Catholic Re: Why does the Bishops and Pope wear a skullcap On the contrary, its from a catholic tradition and not jewish, its was the jews who implemented it, and they were forced them to do so, during the reign of the Holy Roman Empire, and later on adopted it, i read this on a Jewish forum, hope they are correct Quote: Originally Posted by SAVINGRACE What is the historical, symbolic or spiritual meaning of it? I know it's similar to what Rabbi's wear, but why have we adopted, adapted and maintained it? Would the original 12 and Our Lord being Jewish have worn a yarmulke in their day? And if yes, is that why the Bishops wear it? Thank you. __________________ St. Basil's Against Eunomius - Even if the Holy Spirit is third in dignity and order, why need He be third also in nature? For that He is second to the Son, having His being from Him and receiving from Him and announcing to us and being completely dependent on Him, pious tradition recounts....

marlo Religion: Catholic Re: Why does the Bishops and Pope wear a skullcap The two origins have been state (carry-over from Judaism, and to cover the tonsure). Now I'll add my two cents: From my understanding, the stem (or "loop") was added at some point because, when monks were dining in the refectory and the Holy Name was mentioned, they were supposed to doff their skullcaps. As you can imagine, if you're hands are dirty and you have a bit of Br. Cook's sauce on your fingers, it would end up on the skullcap when you went to take it off. If what I've been told is correct, the loop was added because it could be easily replaced. I personally think we should see more of our priests in zucchetti (with the cassock, not a clerical suitï¿½*the latter would be silly) L Marshall Thanks, Abbie. You always provide, Hi Abbie, Thanks for sharing, Hi MTL It is called a biretta or beretta Apr 07 2005 11:09:45 Thanks, Abbie. You always provide prompt answers.

As of the definition given: biretta - a square cap worn by Roman Catholic priests 1. I thought that the caps that Roman Catholic priests wear were round-shaped. Was I wrong? 2. Does the Pope also wear a biretta (the white one)? What's its name if it's not a biretta? Is it round or sqaure? Is it always white? Does the Pope always wear it? Or it all depends on the situations? 3. Do candinals always wear red birettas? Or it all depends on the situations? Same questions to priests, bishops. Last but not the least. Please let me know if my writings exist any problems. That's how I learn. Thanks a lot. Note: Birettas are worn especially by Roman Catholic clergy and are black for priests, purple for bishops, and red for cardinals Apr 07 2005 21:52:23 The hat the Pope wears is called a mitre. Cardinals and bishops may also wear a mitre, but theirs is less luxurious than the Pope's. here you will find pictures of mitres. This site will show a picture of a biretta.

the black one on the top line is the Roman Catholic one. The Pope always wears white, though though the colour of the fannon (the little cape he wears) changes colour according to the religious calendar. Last but not the least. Please let me know if my writings exist any problems. That's how I learn. "Last but not least, please let me know if there are any mistakes in my writing" Apr 07 2005 23:05:13 Thanks for sharing and the correction. I appreciate it. mitre/miter : I think that's what you meant. See the picture below. In the picture, what does the Pope hold on his hand? The one that I was questioning is the little white hat the Pope wears on his head, not the whitle cape he wears. Do we have a special name for it. See the picture below. Someone wonders why the shallow white hat never gets blown away as he travels outside, especially at the windy airport? What do you think? I can't find the word 'fannon' in dictionary. Was that a typo? You are right. The Pope doesn't always wear white robe. See the picture below.

Apr 08 2005 01:03:22 Hi MTL In the picture the Pope is holding a Papal or archiepiscopal cross, so called because only Popes and Archbishops carry it. It is usually made of silver or silver gilt. The small round cap is called a berettino, calotte, or subbiretum when it is worn under the biretta. It is called a submitrale when it is worn under the mitre. I have no idea why the mitre doesn't blow away. maybe it has some form of ribbon or tie to ensure it is held closely to the head. I have seen the mitre being held down by hand on a very windy day. As for the white cap, Jews wear a very similar cap, and they usually fix it with hair grips! The pope in the final picture will be wearing his white robes beneath the green one. Sorry - I mispelled fanon (only one 'n') This is simply the small cape the Pope wears round his shoulders. You can see it quite clearly in the picture in the second row down, far right. It is being blown about in the wind. Does it have a meaning?

Apr 19 2005 20:53:10 Guest What? The colour or the hat? The colour simply denotes rank within the church hierarchy, so that in a crowd of priests you can tell who's who. This is why the pope always wears white. He is the only person in the church hierarchy to be drssed totally in white all the time. Apr 20 2005 13:04:42 abbie1948 The Pope never wears a biretta. In the past, in place of a biretta, the popes wore a soft red velvet cap lined in fur called a camauro. John *** tried to revive it but it really fell into disuse in the 19th century. The bodies of Blessed John ***, Blessed Pius IX and St. Pius X are on display in vestments wearing the camauro.

Apr 21 2005 01:46:13 Hat Glossary - The Hat Magazine Hat Glossary MENU Hat Glossary Abacca: (Musa textilis) A plant of the banana family, grown in the Philippines, that produces the fibre used in the production of sisal and sinamay. Ammana: Large wound turban worn by Muslims. Bandeau: A headband of material, structured or unstructured. Baseball cap: Cloth cap with a long peak or brim. Originally worn by baseball players, now worn as a general leisure hat. Beaver: An expensive felt hat made from felted beaver fur. Bearskin: (Busby) A large, furry, high crowned helmet, which is part of the ceremonial uniform worn by the British Brigade of Guards. Beret: Soft brimless hat made from felt, felted jersey or fabric. Best stuff: 19th century term for rabbit fur, including the backs and the best parts of the sides mixed together for felting. Bicorne: Hat of the late 18th and early 19th century: wide brims were folded up to form two points.

Biretta: Square brimless hat worn by clergy, the crown has three or four projections. Block: A wooden form used as a mould to shape a brim or crown by hand. Blocking: Is the term used to describe the action of moulding a hat shape. Boater: Flat-topped hat with small flat brim. Traditionally, made of stiffened straw braid. Bonnet rouge: Red cap worn during the French Revolution, as a symbol of liberty. Bowler: Oval hat with round, rigid crown and a curved brim. Named after Thomas and William Bowler, London hat-makers, who produced it for James Lock & Co. In the USA it is known as a Derby and was very popular at the turn of the last century, and has even been called “The Hat that Won the West!” Breton: Hat with domed crown and brim turned-up all around. Breton Cap: Fisherman’s style cap. Bridal veil: White or ivory veil, worn during wedding ceremony. Brim: Projecting edge of a hat. Buckram: Stiff netting used to make hats. May be blocked or sewn. Once used by milliners to make blocks for limited use.

Bumping: Term used for the process of final felting of a hood, further compressing and felting of hoods done in a bumping machine. Calotte: A close-fitting skull cap as worn by the Roman Catholic Clergy. Canadian Mountie’s Hat: Official head-dress of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Flat brimmed felt with the crown ‘pinched’ to form four indentations. Canotier: Boater (French). Cap: A hat with a small brim or peak at the front. Capeline: Roughly shaped crown and brim of felt or straw, to be blocked into hat shape. Carroting: Preliminary treatment of wool or fur with acids, to curl the hairs before felting. Produces a reddish-yellow colour which is the origin of the name. Catherinette: French term for milliners who are still unmarried at the age of twenty-five. Named after St Catherine the patron saint of milliners. The 25th of November is St Catherine’s Day. Caul: Historical term for a net or close-fitting indoor head-dress, or the plain back part of the same.

Cavalier hat: A wide-brimmed, plumed hat worn by cavaliers in the 17th century: the right side of the brim was pinned up to the crown so that the wearer’s sword arm could move freely above the shoulder. Chef’s hat or toque: White, starched bonnet with tall crown. French tradition states that a chef’s hat should have 100 pleats, to represent the number of different ways in which a great chef can prepare eggs. Chira: Indian Turban Cloche: Close-fitting women’s hat. Popular in the 1920s Coalman’s hat: A short visor cap with a protective flap at the back, derived from a hat worn by English coal deliverers to protect their backs from dust. Cockade: Ornamental rosette of ribbon or cloth, worn on a hat as a badge of office or as a decoration. Cocked hat: An old-fashioned three-cornered hat. Cocktail hat: A small, often frivolous, hat for women, usually worn forward on the head. Coif: Head-cover worn by nuns as part of their habit, often with long veils.

Cone: Conically shaped hood of felt or straw used for blocking into small hat shapes or crowns. Coolie hat: A shallow conical straw hat with a large brim to protect wearer from the sun. Coronet: Small crown worn by members of nobility as a symbol of rank. Cowboy hat: Hat with high crown and wide brim, originally worn by cow hands. Usually made of felt or leather (see also ten gallon). Crin: Traditionally a fine mesh-like fabric woven from horsehair and used to trim hats. Nowadays made from nylon filaments. Also known as ‘Horsehair’. Crown: Head-dress usually made of gold and worn as a symbol of sovereignty by monarchs. Also see Rastafarian Crown: The top part of a hat. Crush hat: A collapsible opera hat. Danbury Shakes: See Mercury Poisoning Deer stalker: A hunting cap with visors at the front and back, and ear-flaps that can be tied up over the crown. Made famous by the fictional detective, Sherlock Holmes. Derby: Another name for a Bowler hat. Doff: The action of partially removing a hat by males, as a sign of respect.

Diadem: A jewelled headband. Easter bonnet: Women’s hat: A new spring style to be worn at Easter. English driving cap: Low-profile cap, originally only for men. Often with ear-flaps. Esparterie: A flat sheet material made of esparto grass and cotton. Used for the making of blocks and as a stiffening in the construction of hats. Feather head-dress: Ceremonial and symbolic head-cover worn by chiefs of North American Indian tribes. Fedora: A brimmed soft felt hat with a tapered crown that is dented lengthways. It comes originally from the Austrian Tyrol and is named after FEDORA a play by the French dramatist Victorien Sardou which was shown in Paris in 1882. Felt: Cloth made from wool, fur or hair, compacted (felted) by rolling and pressing, in the presence of heat and moisture. Fez: Brimless, conical, flat-topped cap with a tassel attached at the top centre. Men’s head-covering, made of red felt, worn in Islamic cultures. Fillet: A band for the hair.

Fish tail: Ribbon with a decorative v-shape cut at the end. Forage cap: Military cap with a small brim. Can also be a cap, with or without a brim, of longitudinal cut, which folds flat when not being worn. Fulling: Tumbling and pounding of cloth in hot water to induce felting. Fur felt: Any hood or capeline of felt made from fur fibres. Gainsborough Hat: A high crowned, big brimmed hat decorated with feathers and ribbons. Popular in the 1780s. Garbo hat: Slouch hat. (a soft, broad-brimmed hat) Gaucho hat: A black felt hat with a wide flat brim and shallow flat-topped crown. Gibus: Collapsible top hat. [French, from the maker's name.] Glengarry: Highlander’s cap of thick-milled woollen cloth, generally rising to a point in front, with ribbons hanging down behind Hat: Item of dress worn on the head, from a word of Saxon origin meaning hood. Hatter: An artisan who makes and/or sells men’s hats Helmet: A protective or ceremonial head-cover.

Hennin: A high conical hat with a veil attached at the top, worn by women during the 15th century. Hijab: A covering for a Muslim woman’s head and face, sometimes reaching the ground, often accompanied by the niqab (face veil). Homburg: A man’s hat, made of felt, with a narrow upturned brim, and a depression in the crown. First worn at Homburg, a town in western Germany Usually trimmed with a band and bow. Hood: Cone or capeline of felt or straw for making hats. Horsehair: Traditionally a fine mesh-like fabric woven from horsehair and used to trim hats. Nowadays made from nylon filaments. More generally known as Crinoline or ‘Crin’. Jockey cap: Cloth cap with close-fitting 6-panel crown and wide brim at the front. Juliet Cap: A round, close-fitting skullcap worn by women. The style dates back to the Renaissance. Jute Hood: Cone, capeline or sheet materiel made of jute fibre. Kalpak: A triangular Turkish or Balkan felt or sheepskin cap. Kippa: Skull-cap worn by Jewish men.

Also known as Yarmulke. Koufiya: Islamic (Muslim) prayer cap. A soft fabric skull cap. Leuring lathe: A block on a turntable. The hat is placed on the block and, as it turns, it is then polished or ‘leured’ with a plush or velveteen pad, to impart a shine to the felt fibres, particularly on the crown. Liberty cap: Phrygian cap. Mad Hatter: Famous character of Lewis Carroll’s “Alice in Wonderland” also see Mercury below. Mercury Usage: Mercury Nitrate was used to soften the thicker and coarser fur (guard hair) from a rabbit or hare. This was to make the finished felt hood as soft and fine as possible, before it was made into a hat, for the obvious reason that it would be of a higher quality and price. Mercury Poisoning: Mercury is acutely hazardous as a vapor and in the form of its water-soluble salts, which corrode membranes of the body.

Chronic mercury poisoning, which occurs when small amounts of the metal or its fat-soluble salts, particularly methyl mercury, are repeatedly ingested over long periods of time, causes loss of memory, irreversible brain, liver, and kidney damage. paralysis, mental derangement and eventually death. Hence the term, “As mad as a Hatter”. In the United States it was referred to as the Danbury shakes, from the hat town of Danbury, Connecticut. Mandel: A turban woven with silk and gold. Milliner: Artisan who makes and/or sells ladies hats. The word ‘milliner’, a maker of women’s hats, was first recorded in 1529 when the term referred to the products for which Milan and the northern Italian regions were well known, i.e. ribbons, gloves and straws. The haberdashers who imported these highly popular straws were called ‘Millaners’ from which the word was eventually derived. Millinery: The craft of making hats, especially women’s hats. Mitre: A high, pointed headdress, cleft crosswise on top and with two ribbons hanging from the back.

The right to wear the mitre belongs by law only to the pope, the cardinals, and the bishops. Others require a special papal privilege. Mortarboard: Flat, square head-cover worn by professors and students for solemn academic occasions. Nap: Short fibres extending above the surface of cloth, fabric or felt, creating a soft, downy effect such as on velvet. Night cap: Men’s cap worn informally indoors from the 16th to the 19th century. The cap had a deep crown made of four segments, with the edge turned up to form a close brim. Niqab: Face veil worn by Islamic women, together with the hijab (head-cover). Panama: The name given to straw made from fibres of the Toquilla Palm (Carludovica Palmata), grown and woven in Ecuador. Panama Hat: Straw hat made with Panama straw. Paper panama: Cone or capeline made of Japanese Toyo paper, woven to imitate natural Panama can be 1×1 or 2×2 weave. Parasisal/Parisisal: A two over two weave of sisal fibres, used to make cones and capelines.

Available in 5 grades, depending on the fineness of the fibres, it is lightweight, resilient and takes dye well. Peak: Visor. Petasos: Ancient Greek sun hat with a wide floppy brim. Made of wool felt, leather or straw. The first known hat with a brim. Phrygian cap: Conical cap with the top bent forward, named for an ancient people of Asia Minor. Worn as a symbol during the French Revolution, it is now also known as the ‘Cap of Liberty’. Picture hat: A ladies hat with a very wide brim. Pile: Nap. Pileus or Pilos: A simple felt or leather skull cap worn in Ancient Greece. Pillbox: A small brimless hat with a flat tip and cylindrical side. This hat became popular when Jackie Kennedy wore them. Clothes designer Halston reinvented the pillbox worn by Greta Garbo in the 1932 film ‘As You Desire Me’, especially for Mrs Kennedy. Pillboxes can be made in most types of fabric. Pith helmet: Helmet of cork or pith (dried spongy tissue from the sola plant), covered with cloth. Also called a Sola Topee.

Planking: Rolling and heating the hoods to complete the felting process. Plug Hat: See Top Hat. Plush: (Hatters Plush) Cloth of silk or cotton, with a longer and softer nap than velvet. Plush hats: Men’s hat, usually Top Hats of plush, an imitation of napped beaver hats. Poke Bonnet: Women’s or girl’s head-dress, with deep brim and ribbons to tie under the chin. Pom-pom/Pompon: Pompon a fluffy or woolly ball, tuft, or tassel. Pouncing: Rubbing down the outside of felt hats with pumice stone, emery paper or sharkskin to produce a very smooth surface. Puritan: Black felt hat with high, flat-topped, conical crown and narrow straight brim, worn by the Puritans during the 17th century. It was usually trimmed with a buckle at the front. Raffia: A natural straw from Madagascar, fibre from the underside of the leaf of the Raffia palm. Available as braids and hanks, and sometimes woven into cones and capelines, Raising card: Small wired tool, used to raise the nap on felt.

Rastafarian Hat: The Rastafarian hat is called a “Crown” and has religious significance, the knitted version is usually colored red, yellow and green, the colour of the Ethiopian flag. Royal Ascot: The world famous English horse race meeting at Ascot, dating from the early 18th century. Held over 5 days in June, it is particularly renowned for Ladies’ Day, a unique occasion and setting to flaunt the most spectacular hats. Rush: Capeline made of a stiff thick straw, usually left in its natural green colour. Shako: A tall, nearly cylindrical military cap with a plume, flat-topped. Sinamay: Fibre from the abacca plant, grown in the Philippines. The fibres are woven into sheet or hood forms. Sisal hood: Cone or capeline of sisal fibre made with a one over one weave. Skull-cap: Small, close-fitting cap of fabric. Skimmer: See Boater. Slouch hat: A soft hat with a high crown and drooping flexible brim. Also called a Garbo hat, from the name of the actress who worn this style in many films.

Smoking cap: Men’s pillbox shape cap, worn during the 19th century to prevent the hair from smelling of tobacco. Snap brim: A brim that turns down sparingly. Snood: A band for the hair, once worn by unmarried women in Scotland as the badge of virginity; an ornamental hairnet supporting the back of a woman’s hair. Sombrero: Mexican hat with high, conical crown and very wide brim. Usually of straw or felt. Spartre: See Esparterie. St. Catherine of Alexandria: Patron saint of milliners. Died c. 305 A.D., celebrated November 25th. Stiffening: Originally gum Arabic, mucilage, shellac or gelatin, now superseded by cellulose or pva based chemicals. It is applied by hand or dipped, to stiffen felt or straw. Stocking cap: Knitted cap, usually conical, often finished with a pompon. Stovepipe hat: A tall 19th century top hat, made popular by U.S. President Abraham Lincoln. Suede felt: Fur felt hood or capeline with short nap: the surface texture resembles suede.

Tam o’shanter: Scottish beret with close-fitting headband, usually trimmed with a pompon. Ten-gallon hat: (see cowboy hat) A good description of this hat is supplied courtesy of “The phrase ‘ten-gallon hat’ is a bit of folksy humor which is often carried out through exaggeration. The 1880s saw the crowns of hats get taller and larger, but by the 1920s even those hats seemed smaller by comparison. The movies were coming in to great vogue in the 20s, and on-screen stars wanted to appear larger than life. As in most things, the rest of the people followed their lead to enormous hats. Hence the epithet ‘ten-gallon hat’ to show its size could hold ten gallons of water. Like all folklore, no one knows who originated the phrase, but it stuck. The Stetson Company put out an advertising poster showing a cowboy watering his horse out of his hat. The phrase plays upon that, or the poster plays upon the phrase, I’m not sure which.

That would be easy to figure by dating the poster.” Or the other explanation: “Almost proverbial is the ten-gallon hat worn by Americans in the ‘Old West,’ particularly so in Texas. Its description is taken to refer to its enormous size, which would conform with all the other Texan superlatives. The implication, of course, is that the hat was so large that it could be filled with ten gallons of liquid. This is an error due to a linguistic ‘mix-up.’ In this case the gallon is not the unit of capacity, but the Spanish ‘galon’ for braid. The hat is not Texan at all but stems from Mexico. When Spaniards occupied the country, they wore sombreros because the wide brims protected their faces from the burning sun. Spaniards’ love of beauty made them embellish this utilitarian brim with braid. The more of it they used the happier they were. Some men thus wore a hat with ten different braids. Very accurately and without exaggeration, it was a ‘ten galon hat’. When the Americans adopted the Spanish head covering, they acquired its Spanish name as well.

Continuing to call it a ten gal(l)on hat, the Spanish (‘galon’) braid was soon misunderstand and mistaken for the liquid measure. This created the ten-gallon hat. source: “Websters World Encyclopedia 1999″ Tip: The top part of the crown. Top hat: Man’s tall cylindrical hat with a narrow brim, made of silk plush. Very early top hats were made of beaver felt. Also called a “Plug Hat” in the USA. Toque: A tall brimless hat. Also French term for a chef’s tall white hat. Tricorne: Men’s hat of the 18th century: wide brims were folded up to form three points. Trilby: The Trilby is a soft felt hat, usually made of fur felt (rabbit) it has a dented crown and flexible brim, the shape originates from the Austrian Tyrol, where it usually had a small feather or bristle trimming. The hat became most popular between the 1930s-40s when Schiaparelli used it to compliment clothes design.

The name comes from the heroine of G.du Maurier’s novel Trilby 1894 in which the heroine of the stage version, wore such a hat. Tuque: A Canadian cap made by tucking in one tapered end of a long cylindrical bag, closed at both ends. Turban: Typical head-dress for Muslim and Sikh men, constructed by winding a long scarf around the head. Also a women’s head-dress, of draped fabric, resembling men’s turbans. Vanities: 15th century British term for hats. Veil: A covering of fine fabric or net, for the head, face, or both, for protection, concealment, adornment or ceremonial purpose, especially the white transparent one often worn by a bride Velour felt: Fur felt hood or capeline with uniform nap and velvet-like surface texture. Visca: Cone or capeline of rayon fibre, made to look like parasisal with a 1×1 or 2×2 weave. Visor: A partial brim, usually extending out at the front of a hat or cap. Also known as a peak and used as a shade against the sun .

Wheat Straw single or double: A stiff coarse straw, usually left in its natural golden brown colour. Single wheat is 1×1 weave, double wheat is 2×2 weave. Widow’s peak: A close-fitting cap with a point extending down at the centre of the forehead. Originally worn as a mourning bonnet by Caterina de Medici. Also a point of hair over the forehead, like the cusped front of the widow’s cap formerly worn. Willow: A woven and sized material made of esparto grass and cotton, used for making the base of fashion hats. Also known as esparterie and spartre. Wimple: A veil folded so as to cover the head and neck and closely frame the cheeks, a fashion of the Middle Ages that remained part of a nun’s dress Xian: Capeline made of an oriental coarse straw. Yarmulke: The skullcap worn by Jewish males, especially during prayers or ceremonial occasions. Also known as kippah. Zucchetto: Skull-cap worn by Roman Catholic clergy: black for priests, purple for bishops, red for cardinals, white for the pope.

Latest Issue CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: Zucchetto Home > Catholic Encyclopedia > Z > Zucchetto Zucchetto Help support New Advent and get the full contents of this website as an instant download . Includes the Catholic Encyclopedia, Church Fathers, Summa, Bible and more  all for only $19.99... (zucca, head). The small, round skullcap of the ecclesiastic . The official name is pileolus; other designations are: berettino, calotte, subbiretum (because worn under the biretta ), submitrale (because worn under the mitre ), soli-deo. The pope's zucchetto is white, that of the cardinals red, even when the cardinal is a member of an order. Cardinals who had been secular priests received the red zucchetto and also the red biretta in 1464 from Paul II ; the cardinals taken from the regulars were granted both in 1591.

If the newly-appointed cardinal is at Rome he receives the zucchetto from the Sotto-guardaroba as he leaves the throne room where he has received the mozetta , and biretta from the pope ; otherwise the zucchetto is brought to him, along with the decree of appointment, by one of the pope's Noble Guard. The pileolus of the bishops is violet, that of other ecclesiastics , including the prelates , unless a special privilege to wear violet is granted, black. Bishops and cardinals wear it at Mass, except during the Canon; other ecclesiastics may not wear it at Mass without special papal permission. However, according to a decision of the Sacred Congregation of Rites (23 September, 1837), a bishop also may not wear it while giving Benediction. It cannot be said positively when the zucchetto became customary, but it was probably not before the thirteenth century. It appears on the cardinals in the fresco, "St. Francis before Honorius III", painted about 1290 in the upper church of St. Francis at Assisi .

It is seen also under the tiara in the effigy on the tomb of Clement VI (d. 1352) at La Chaise-Dieu. The figures on the several tombs of bishops of the fifteenth century in the Roman churches show the zucchetto under the mitre . In the "Ordo" of Jacobus Gajetanus (about 1311) the zucchetto is mentioned in connection with the hat of the cardinals (cap. cxviii), and with the mitre in the "Ordo" of Petrus Amelii (cap. cxliv.), which appeared about 1400. It is shown in the pictures and sculpture of the late Middle Ages sometimes as a round skullcap, sometimes as a cap that covers the back of the head and the ears. In this shape it was called camauro; this designation was given especially to the red velvet cap of this kind bordered with ermine that was peculiar to the pope . There was great confusion as to the proper use of the zucchetto and hence the Sacred Congregation of Rites has delivered several decisions on the Subject ("Decr. auth. Congr. SS.

Rit.", V, Rome 1901, 382). Name for the Pope's hat Name for the Pope's hat Please respond with the proper name for the hat worn by the Pope. Thanks and God bless. Tammy -- Tammy ( missbucko@aol.com ), August 31, 1998 Answers Which one ? What does it look like? -- BR. Rich S.F.O. ( REPSFO@Prodigy.net ), August 31, 1998. Tammy Sorry, some pokey nose is at it again trying to be rude here. God does know him and will deal with him. The Tall headdress is the "Mitre" which is worn by all bishops and the little cap is a "Yarmulke" (Spelling?) in Jewish and in Catholic I have forgotten at the moment. -- Fred Bishop ( fcbishop@globaleyes.net ), May 09, 2002. I have read that the skullcap worn by Catholic prelates goes by several different names: zuchetto, solideo, calotte, pilleolus, or sub-mitrale.

JFG -- ( jfgecik@hotmail.com ), May 09, 2002. I know that solideo means "only to God" referring to the fact that the Pope (and Bishops) takes it off only during the Consecration at Mass, while Christ is present in the Eucharist. I clearly see the meaning of the use of the little cap. But the zuchetto, calotte, pilleolus, or sub-mitrale have they a special meaning or a practical use? What about the jewish yarmulke? Enrique -- Enrique Ortiz ( eaortiz@yahoo.com ), May 10, 2002. Hello, teaching friend Enrique. You are always persuading me to do these interesting investigations! The word "zucchetto" [I misspelled it above] is an Italian diminutive of the word "zucca," which means gourd or head. [The word "zucchini" comes from the same root.] The word "calotte" is French, from the Proven�al "calota" or the Italian "callotta," but I don't know of any underlying derivation.

The word "pilleolus" is a Latin diminutive of pilleum, which was a felt cap worn especially by freed slaves. The word may come from "pilus," which means hair. The old Catholic Encyclopedia has this to say on the subject of these Catholic garments: A zucchetto is "The small, round skullcap of the ecclesiastic. The official name is pilleolus; other designations are: berettino [little beret], calotte, subbiretum (because worn under the biretta [the distinctive hat of clergy]), submitrale (because worn under the mitre), and soli-deo. The pope's zucchetto is white, that of the cardinals red, even when the cardinal is a member of an order. ... The pilleolus of the bishops is violet, that of other ecclesiastics, including the prelates, unless a special privilege to wear violet is granted, black. Bishops and cardinals wear it at Mass, except during the Canon; other ecclesiastics may not wear it at Mass without special papal permission. ...

It cannot be said positively when the zucchetto became customary, but it was probably not before the thirteenth century. ... It is shown in the pictures and sculpture of the late Middle Ages sometimes as a round skullcap, sometimes as a cap that covers the back of the head and the ears. In this shape it was called camauro; this designation was given especially to the red velvet cap of this kind bordered with ermin that was peculiar to the pope." [I notice that there is nothing mentioned about the reason for the zucchetto, so I have to wonder whether or not it was first worn simply for warmth in a very cold winter.] According to the American Heritage Dictionary, the word "yarmulke" is Yiddish, coming from the Polish or Ukrainian "yarmulka." This may be derived from the Turkish "yamurluk" (rain clothing), which is from "yamur" (rain). Here is more on the yarmulke (including alternate derivations) from "The most commonly known and recognized piece of Jewish garb is actually the one with the least religious significance. The word yarmulke is Yiddish.

According to Leo Rosten's 'The Joys of Yiddish,' it comes from a Tartar word meaning skullcap. According to some Orthodox and Chasidic rabbis I know, it comes from the Aramaic words "yerai malka" (fear of or respect for The King). The Hebrew word for this head covering is kippah (pronounced key-pah). "It is an ancient practice for Jews to cover their heads during prayer. This probably derives from the fact that in Eastern cultures, it is a sign of respect to cover the head (the custom in Western cultures is the opposite: it is a sign of respect to remove one's hat). Thus, by covering the head during prayer, one showed respect for [God.] In addition, in ancient Rome, servants were required to cover their heads while free men did not; thus, Jews covered their heads to show that they were servants of [God.] In medieval times, Jews covered their heads as a reminder that [God]is always above them. Whatever the reason given, however, covering the head has always been regarded more as a custom rather than a commandment. "There is no special significance to the yarmulke as a specific type of head covering.

Its light weight, compactness and discreteness make it a convenient choice of head gear. I am unaware of any connection between the yarmulke and the similar skullcap worn by the Pope." God bless you. John -- ( jfgecik@hotmail.com ), May 11, 2002. John, you are always so helpful. Thank you very much. After I sked my previous question I kept wondering if the skullcap would have a connection with the tonsure worn by priests and monks, especially in the old days. You don't see tonsures anymore. Enrique -- Enrique Ortiz ( eaortiz@yahoo.com ), May 11, 2002. Enrique, I doubt that the tonsure and use of zucchetto are related. As mentioned in the quotation above, "It cannot be said positively when the zucchetto became customary, but it was probably not before the thirteenth century." The Encyclopedia states that the tonsure was being used at least as early as the fifth century. JFG -- ( jfgecik@hotmail.com ), May 11, 2002.

Hi I was wondering if anyone knows what it reads on the pope's, if I may say, "zucchetto"? All I know is that the saying is in latin. -- Patrick ( alsaffat1@aol.com ), November 06, 2002. Here we go again. -- - ( -@-.- ), November 06, 2002. Yarmulke is a jewish skull cap. It is a Yiddish derived word. In my competency it says that it also derives from Latin which is hard to believe sisnce I have been searching for it for 2 hours now. -- Sierra ( sierraras@aol.com ), November 06, 2002. Forrest Wickman Forrest Wickman is Slate’s culture editor overseeing music and movies coverage. To suit the occasion, to represent their homeland, or, sometimes, to make a personal statement. Cardinals primarily wear one of three different types. The most basic hat is a skullcap called the zucchetto (pl. zucchetti), which is a simple round hat that looks like a beanie or yarmulke.

Next is the collapsible biretta, a taller, square-ridged cap with three peaks on top. There are certain times when it’s customary to put on the biretta, such as when entering and leaving church for Mass, but it’s often just personal preference. Cardinals wear both of these hats in red, which symbolizes how each cardinal should be willing to spill his blood for the church . (The zucchetto is actually worn beneath the biretta.) Some cardinals also wear regional variations on the hat, such as the Spanish style, which features four peaks instead of three . On special occasions, such as when preparing to elect the next leader of their church, they may also wear a mitre, which is a tall and usually white pointed hat. The mitre is the same style of cap commonly worn by the pope, and it comes in three different styles with varying degrees of ornamentation, according to the occasion. Cardinals are also strongly associated with the wide-brimmed galero (pl. galeri), which resembles a cowboy hat but with two long sets of tassels. The galero was once the signature hat of the cardinal.

The lowering of the galero was “ the highlight of the investiture ceremony ” that inducted new cardinals, according to the New York Times. But the Catholic Church, like so many people, found the 1960s to be a time of radical change in fashions. In 1967, Pope Paul VI began to crown cardinals by bestowing birettas instead of galeri, in a move toward humbler headwear , and in 1969 he abolished those hats altogether . Despite the papal decree, there are some who would like to keep the galero alive, however. American cardinal Raymond Burke was spotted apparently trying to bring back the vintage hat , and cardinals may still feature it in their coats of arms . Advertisement Pope Paul VI isn’t the only one to leave his stamp on clerical fashion. Whereas other clergymen follow fairly constricting guidelines when it comes to their ceremonial garb—cardinals wear red, bishops wear purple, and priests wear black—popes are free to choose different colors and start their own trends. Few have taken advantage of this freedom like the recently retired Pope Benedict XVI, who was known for wearing a wide variety of headwear.

For example, Benedict was known to sport a saturno , a wide-brimmed hat similar to the galero. He was also seen venturing out in a camauro , which looks almost exactly like a Santa hat. Even when it came to the traditional mitre, Benedict generally chose hats taller than those worn by his predecessor , who chose to keep things simple. For his sartorial efforts, the Chicago Tribune called Benedict “ the best dressed pontiff ever! ” Popes also used to wear the papal tiara, or the triregnum. However, this hat was similarly outmoded by Pope Paul VI, who in November 1964 announced that he was donating his tiara to the poor . His successor, Pope John Paul I, declined to wear the tiara, and after the end of his 33-day reign, Pope John Paul II followed his predecessor’s lead. The tiara was “ considered, wrongly, to be a symbol of the temporal power of the Popes ,” he explained. Men of the cloth can also change Vatican fashions from the ground up.

Ahead of the changes in Vatican headwear that would come later in the ’60s, some prelates petitioned to be able to wear the zucchetto instead of the stiffer biretta . After the cappa magna, a 30-foot train of silk that was carried behind the cardinal, was abolished in 1952, a group of Roman cardinals petitioned for its return. Pope John XXIII allowed it, saying, “ A bit of vanity is good for the Church .” Got a question about today’s news? Ask the Explainer .

Question: What is the name given to the type of skull cap worn by the Pope
Answer: A Zucchetto